Ineos Grenadiers owner calls for action on road cycling safety

Ineos Grenadiers owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has called for urgent action to improve safety in road cycling after a series of serious accidents involving top cyclists. Ratcliffe, who recently became Manchester United’s biggest single shareholder, penned a letter to the UCI expressing his concerns about the lack of significant changes to prevent such incidents.

The letter highlighted the recent crash during the Itzulia Basque Country stage race, which left Tour de France champion Jonas Vingegaard with broken ribs and collarbone. The crash also involved other top cyclists like Remco Evenepoel and Primoz Roglic, who sustained injuries in the same incident.

Ratcliffe drew a comparison to Formula 1’s response to Ayrton Senna’s fatal crash 30 years ago, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to enhance safety in cycling. He stressed the importance of taking concrete actions to protect the athletes who push their limits in pursuit of excellence.

The cycling community has been rocked by tragic accidents in recent years, including the death of Swiss rider Gino Mader during the Tour de Suisse. Ineos Grenadiers have also faced their share of setbacks, with riders like Chris Froome and Egan Bernal suffering severe injuries in training incidents.

As the sport grapples with safety concerns, Ratcliffe’s call for real action resonates with many in the cycling world. With the Tour de France approaching, the focus on safety has never been more critical to protect the athletes and ensure the integrity of the sport.